Ice packaging machine



Sept. 15, 1936. H. c. SHEVLIN ET AL. 2,054,394

ICE PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l mm 'AATTORNEY- Sept. 15, 1936. H. c. SHEVLIN [QT AL 2,054,394

ICE PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1933 4Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2,

P 1936. H. c. SHEVLIN ET AL 2,054,394

ICE PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1933 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 15;1936. H. c. SH EVLIN ET AL 2, 3

ICE PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY.INVEIHVTORS:

Patented Sept. 15, 1936 ICE PACKAGING MACHINE Harold C. Shevlin andJoseph P. Shevlin, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 25, 1933, Serial No. 690,964

22 Claims.

This invention relates to the device for handling blocks of ice such asextensively manufactured for use in commercial and domesticrefrigerators, and has particular reference to means for sub-dividingsuch blocks of ice into smaller blocks of the size demanded by thetrade; also to means for wrapping such blocks in covering material tofacilitate the handling of the goods by the purchaser.

The general object of our invention is to provide a simple, efficient,and inexpensive device of the character referred to. More particularly,an important object of our invention is the provision of a devicecapable of handling the blocks of ice produced by the ice manufacturerswithout first trimming the edges or flat surfaces of the ice. A furtherobject is to provide means for holding the initial large block, or thesub-divided smaller blocks, so firmly, that the separations of thepieces are effected cleanly and without any breaks of corners or otherchipping. Another object is to provide means for adjusting the device ofour invention to take blocks of ice of different sizes. Another objectis to provide means for properly locating the ice blocks during thecutting operations in order that the subdivided blocks may be of uniformsize. A further object is the provision of means for properly locatingthe sub-divided block in relation to a wrapper and for holding suchwrapper firmly in position while the block is being located. Anotherobject is to provide means for folding the Wrapper around the block andfor applying binding material to the flaps of the folded wrapper. Afurther object is the provision of means for completing the folding ofthe wrapper and for setting the binding material sufficiently to preventthe wrapper from coming open when the completed package is removed fromthe machine.

With the foregoing objects in view and for the purpose of explaining thefurther objects and advantageous features of the invention, drawingsillustrating the invention in its preferred form are incorporated inthis specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a structure embody ing the invent-ion andwith parts broken away for the sake of clearness,

Figure 2 is a substantially corresponding side elevation of thestructure, also with parts broken away to disclose important elements ofthe invention,

Figure 3 is a substantially corresponding front elevation of the device,

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the structure,

Figure 5 illustrates, on a larger scale, certain important features ofFigure 1,

Figures 6 and '7 show, on a larger scale, portions of Figure 4, and

Figures 8 and 9 are, respectively, a plan view and an end elevation, onan enlarged scale, of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 4.

In the embodiment of our invention, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, the numeral l designates a table which is divided into threemain portions: a loading device A, a sawing mechanism B, and a wrappingdevice C.

Forming part of the loading device, and near the left, or front end ofthe table, is journaled a receiving device comprising an inclined chute2 on which a block of ice 3 is deposited. This chute is made with asocket 2 of a size to receive a lifting bar 5 which is convenientlymanipulated by the operator to swing the chute on its journals, therebyto transfer the block of ice to the table. A post 4 may conveniently bepivotally mounted on this chute, and it is operable by a handle 4* tosupport the elevated chute when desired. More elaborate loading devicesmay, of course, be substituted, but this simple mechanism has proveditself very convenient and efficient. A circular saw 6 is shown mountedto rotate in the center of the table in front of the block of ice, whichhas been deposited, and this saw is of a size to cut the ice block intocakes of the sizes ordinarily used in the trade. Suitable means, such asan electric motor I, is employed to rotate this saw, and the connectionfrom this motor to drive this saw at the desired speed is conventionallyillustrated by a belt 8. f

A stationary support is shown mounted on the table I and this support ismade with longitudinal rails 9 and H], on which an ice carrier H ismounted to slide. This carrier comprises a pair of inverted, U-shapedframes which are rigidly interconnected in parallel, spaced relation. Aseries of rollers l2 are fixed to rotate on these frames, and theserollers ride in the longitudinal support members 9 and ID for thepurpose'of facilitating the sliding movement of the ice carrier.

In a cross member of the ice carrier is journaled an operating handlever I4 which, through the medium of a connection i5, is fitted to tilta lever l6, thereby to force a pair of pointed plungers I? into the rearedge of the ice block. In line with the plungers I1, and opposed tothese plungers, is a pair of fixed prongs l8. Normally, the operatinghandle l4 takes a retracted position, in the direction of the saw 6,causing the lever E6 to be tilted to withdraw the plungers 11, therebyto afford" space for the transfer of the ice blocks to the table but,when the handle I4 is swung forward, into the position shown in Fig. 2,it is seen that the points of the plungers and prongs penetrate into theice block to hold it firmly clamped on the carrier. The operator, stillholding the handle l4, pushes the carrier forward, thereby to advance'the ice block into contact with, and past, the saw 6, which cuts theice :blocks cleanly in two equal parts. The operator thereupon pulls thecarrier back into its initial position and swings the operating handle I4 rearward to release the two separated blocks of ice. One of theseseparated pieces may now temporarilybe pushed back onto the chute 2, andthe other one may be given a quarter turn and clamped in the carrier forlengthwise slitting, whereupon the two separated parts may be heldtogether, returned to their initial position, and clamped together inthis position for further sub-division, or the parts may be otherwisemanipulated asrfound most convenient to speed 7 1y be adjusted bydisconnecting the knuckle 28 7 up these operations.

A stop plate I 9 is shown journaled on the table near the chute 2, andthis plate may be positioned on thetable by rotating it on its pivot tolocate the block of ice for the first sawing operation.

' A series of similar stop plates 20, 2 l, 22 are shown journaled on thetable at the opposite end of the ice block, and these plates maybemanipulated in like manner to determine the position of the smallerblocks of ice, which require further subdivision.

Ice is very brittle, and one of the main difficulties in sawing ice isthat the edges chip and the corners break ofi very easily. In order toprevent such chipping, it is necessary to hold the block of ice veryfirmly during the sawing operation, and this I accomplish by means ofthe mechanism just described. It is also necessary to V regulate thepressure exerted against the plungers I? in order that the points maysink in sufficiently to hold the ice block firmly in position, but notfar enough to chip or split the ice. For the purpose of such regulation,I show the connection l5, see Figure 2, comprising a tubular member 23,within which'a rod 24 is seated to slide. opposite end is provided withscrew threads, engaging a knuckle 28 of the lever 14. A suitablecompression spring 25 is shown placed on the rod 24 intermediate thehead 21 and a perforated plug 26 of the tubular member. While the handlever l4 remains retracted, the'spring 25 is not under tension, but whenthe lever is pulled forward, it is seen that a compression of thisspring takes place, and that the force of this compression istransmitted through the tubular member 23 and the lever Hi to theplungers IT. From this it is seen that pressure is not directlytransferred from the hand lever to the plungers, but that it ismodifiedby response of the spring to such pressure to insure uniform yieldingpressure against the ice, irrespective of the manner in which the handlever is manipulated by the operator. The tension of the spring mayconvenientfrom the hand lever by removing the pin on which the knucklepivots, and by relative rotation of the knuckle and the rod 24 one wayor the other.

The foregoing explanation of the loading and sawing mechanism is merelydescriptive of our invention. The stops, I9 to 22 inclusive, areinroduced for the purpose of illustrating means This rod is made with ahead 2'I,'and its of properly locating the blocks of ice for any desiredsub-division, but no attempt has been made correctly to position suchstops as the location of the stops will depend somewhat upon the initialsizeof the ice block and also upon the extent to which it is desired tosub-divide the block. One of the difiiculties, in handling manufacturedblocks of ice, is that the shapes of such blocks vary considerably. Forone thing, the cans, in which the blocks are molded, are made tapered tofacilitate the removal of the molded blocks. The corners are more orlessunevenly rounded and the sides may be caved in at some places, andbulging out at other points, necessitating, in such machines as havecome to our notice, a preliminary trimming of the ice block, but, bymeans of the novel clamping device of our invention, such preliminarytrimming is not necessary and the ice block is held firmly in position,irrespective of variations in the shape, by the resilient clampingdevice.

After the ice block has been subdivided into pieces of the desireduniform size, each piece is pushed along the portion I of the table tothe wrapping mechanism. 'At the extreme end of the table is placed astack of wrapping paper 33, and one'sheet of paper from this stack is,in the first instance, laid on the table between marginal guides 3! and32, whereupon a gate 33 is swung upon its pivot to cover the left frontcorner of the paper and to afiord a slide above the paper, across whicha piece of ice may be pushed, finally to land on top of a wheel truck34. It is readily appreciated, that the weight ofthe ice, on the gate3|, exerts pressure against the underlying wrapping paper, and thispressure keeps the paper from being forced out of position when the iceis pushed on to the truck. The machine frame'is provided at each side ofthis truck with stationary platforms 35 and 36 which conveniently may beelevated slightly abovethe top of the truck in order that the ice, whenit lands on the truck, may be properly located between these twostationary platforms for wrapping purposes. This position is best shownin Fig. 5.

The operator now manually completes the first folding operation, leavingthe wrapper substantially in the position indicated in dotted outline inFigure 4 of the drawings with its side edges 1 sidewise projecting,except that, for the sake of clearness, the edges at the bottom areshown torn off close to the block of ice. On a vertically slidable post39 is mounted an arm, fitted to carry a folding member 4| which, by theoperator, is brought into registration with the top of the ice blockBelow the truck 34 and seated to slide vertically in the space betweenthis truck and the twostationary platforms 35 and 35 is a folding member42. These two folding members 4| and 42 are now, by means of a mechanismwhich will be hereinafter fully described, moved vertically to completethe second and third folds of the wrapping operation, and the movementof the two members is so adjusted that the lower member first comes intoengagement with the wrapper to make the second fold, being closelyfollowed by the upper member to complete the third fold.

It is noticed that the rear plate 42 is made slightly higher than thefront plate, to permit it, while the member is in its normal, loweredposition, to take a position in the space between the truck 34 and theplatform 36, slightly higher than On the side of the machine table,beyond the end of the truck 34, is pivotally mounted a rod 38 on which apair of folding members 31, is shown adjustably mounted. The outer endsof these members are conveniently combined by an operating rod 45, bymeans of which the members are swung into engagement with the ice blockto complete the fourth fold of the wrapper.

The mechanism for operating the folding members 4! and 42 will now bedescribed. A lever il is shown pivotally mounted on a link 48 at therear end of the table, and this lever is, near the front, connected tomove the post 39 vertically. A second lever 49 is at 50, intermediateits ends, iournaled at the front of the table, and the rear end of thislever is connected vertically to slide a post 5|, the top of which isfitted to support the folding members 42. The levers 41 and 49 cometogether at the front, and they are at this point operatively connectedby a treadle 43, which treadle is pivotally mounted on the end of thelever 49 and perforated to slide on the end of the lever 47. When thistreadle is depressed by the foot of the operator, it is noticed that thefolding members 42, because of their close proximity of the bottomcorners of the ice block, first engage the wrapper to start and completethe bottom fold before the upper folding members 4| reach the ice block.We have found, in actual practice, that the operator becomes so expertat swinging the upper folding member 4| into correct alinement with theice block, that no further mechanism is necessary, but, for theassistance of inexperienced operators, and until such a time that thesensitiveness and correctness of their touch becomes fully developed, itis well to pro- ,vide an adjustable stop 52 on the post 39, forengagement with the table frame, to limit the movement of the foldingmembers to a position of correct alinement with the ice block. Suitablemeans may be provided for returning the foot treadle 43 to its initial,elevated position, and such means is here shown taking the shape of acounterbalance weight 53 adjustable on a pivoted lever 54 which, bymeans of a link 55, is operatively connected with the lever 41.

The construction of the folding members 31 is important. As the twomembers may be exactly alike, except that one is right hand and theother left hand, the description of one will sufiice for both. In thebottom of each member is seated .a plunger 5'1, terminating in a piston58, and this piston is seated to slide in a cylinder 59 within theflange of each folding member 31 to force a small quantity of glue fromwithin the cylinder through an inwardly directed port 6 I dischargingthrough the inner wall of the flange, close to its rear edge, as bestshown in Fig. 6. This plunger comes into contact with the platforms 35and 36, when the member is swung on its pivotal rod 38 to effect thethird fold of the wrapper, thereby to press the plunger into thecylinder and to cause a small, predetermined quantity of glue to beejected through the port BI, to be deposited on the outer surface ofthis fold. When the member again is drawn away from the ice, the plunger5'! is free to withdraw, and its return is aided by a suitable spring62.

The flange is made hollow to provide a reservoir 63 for the glue, and itis noticed that the cylinder 59 is seated Within this reservoir. The

piston 58 closes the lower, open end of the cylin- I der, and thispiston is made with a cylindrical recess 58*, communicating through apassage 58 with the glue reservoir. A ball 64 is shown seated in therecess of the piston. From this it is seen that the glue fro-m thereservoir is free to rise through the piston and into the cylinder tothe level of the glue within the reservoir. It is further noticed thatthe ball E4 acts as a check valve to prevent the glue from sinking backinto the reservoir when the piston is pushed farther into the cylinderby the plunger 51 and that, as a consequence, some glue is forcedthrough the passage and the port 6!. In the cylinder, above the piston,is firmly secured a hollow plug 65, in which a ball 56 is seated to forma second check valve, the function of which is to prevent glue abovethis check valve from sinking back into the cylinder when the piston isretracted. Also that, as the piston is retracted, a vacuum is formedbetween the piston and the upper check valve and that this vacuum isfilled by glue from the reservoir drawn through the passage through thepiston.

In this manner it is seen that, once the cylinder and passage above thecylinder are filled with glue, they remain filled, and that eachsubsequent pump stroke of the piston positively forces a uniformquantity of glue through the discharge orifice 5!. As the membernormally stands in the forwardly inclined position of Fig. 4, there isno tendency on the part of the glue to leak out through the port 6!which, in this position, is higher than any part of the reservoir. Arefilling screw cap 61 may conveniently close the reservoir at the top.The outer end of the plunger 5'! is threaded to receive a cap 68, whichmay be rotated on the plunger to adjust the stroke of the piston andthereby to determine the quantity of glue to be expelled each time afold is completed by the member.

The folding and gluing mechanism just described has been found highlysatisfactory, but the detail construction of the mechanism may, ofcourse, be modified, and is here illustrated merely for the purpose ofexplaining the principle of its operation.

In line with the movement of the truck 34 is a second truck 54, on whicha pair of flanges 10, of a member designed to complete the last fold, ismounted. The ice supporting truck 34 and the folding member carryingtruck 44, are both mounted on a track 59, and it is to be noted that thetop surface of the truck 34 is slightly higher than that of the truck44. When the latter is pulled forward by the operator to complete thelast folding operation, it is to be observed that it pushes the truck 34forward. The ice is however, held against displacement by a bar ll ofthe machine frame. The result is, that the ice block gradually istransferred to the truck 44, on which it comes to rest when the latteris fully advanced to complete the folding operation.

The construction of this truck is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 to include theside flanges 19, both of which may be alike, except that one is righthand and the other left hand. Within each side flange, and substantiallyin the center of thefiange, is seated a heating element 73 which, in asuitable manner, is electrically connected to be energized by a sourceof electric current M. This heating element is provided for the purposeof setting the glue which was deposited on the outside of the fourthfold of the wrapper. When the truck 34 now is advanced to complete thefinal fold,

element 13 causes the glue to set sufliciently to prevent the folds fromcoming apart when the Wrapped ice is delivered from the machine. Thefolding members It are preferably held spring suspended, substantiallyas indicated in Fig. 8, yieldingly to press the folds together to setthe glue.

A vertical post 15 is mounted to rotateon the machine frame behind, andto one side of the track 69, and this post is shown made with ahorizontal member l5 which extends forward beyond the length of thetruck. A pawl 16 is pivotally mounted on the forward end of this member,and this pawl is free to yield in one direction for the purpose ofpermitting the truck 44, carrying the wrapped piece of ice, to passunder the pawl when the truck is retracted. When the truck later isagain pulled forward to complete the wrapping of the next followingpiece of ice, it is noticed that this pawl comes in contact with thefront surface of the ice on the truck and, as the pawl is by a pin 11prevented from yielding in the opposite direction, it is seen that thewrapped packagefof ice, held by this pawl, is caused to slide off theforwardly moving truck. This completes the sawing and wrappingoperation, and the wrapped package may now be carried away in anysuitable manner.

It was above stated that the loading portion of the machine was providedwith stops for properly locating the block of ice to be divided intopieces of different sizes. It becomes necessary also to adjust thewrapping mechanism to accommodate ice blocks of various sizes. To thisend, the paper gages 3| and'32 are made removable and additional gagesl8 and 79 are provided to accommodate paper of greater width forwrapping larger pieces of ice. The flanges of the folding member 31 maybe axially slidable on their pivot for correct adjustment to the widthof ice block to be wrapped. The folding member flanges 70, of the truck44, may be similarly adjustable as to width or, if preferred, the truckmay be lifted off bodily and replaced by a truck of the proper Width.The folding members 4| and 42 should in that case also becorrespondingly spread or otherwise changed to accommodate the size ofice block to be wrapped. The means of effecting such adjustment is oflesser importance, but it is necessary to provide adjustable means, andthe instrumentalities shown are thought sufiicient to illustrate suchmeans.

Various other features of importance are to be noted. Within the flangesof the folding member 4| is seated a plurality of slidable rods 80, andthese rods are held downwardly projected by suitable springs 8|. Theserods are provided for the purpose of yieldingly pressin the overlappingedges of the manually folded wrapper against the top surface of the iceto prevent displacement jection 85 abutting the stop bar 1| as bestshown 1 in Fig. 4.

We claim: 1. In an ice packaging machine, the combination with meansfordelivering pieces of predetermined uniform size, of a wrapping mechanismcomprising means adjustable to the size of piece delivered forsuccessively folding wrapping paper around each piece of ice, means inone set of folding members for spraying a small amount of glue on thefolds of the Wrapper, a valve mechanism in each member controlling saidspraying and means incorporated in the members completing the nextfollowing folding of the wrapper over the glue spotted fold for heatingthe wrapper at this point to set the glue sufficiently to prevent thefolds from coming open.

2. In an ice packaging machine, the combination with means fordelivering pieces of ice of predetermined uniform sizes, meansadjustable to the size delivered for folding a wrapper around eachpiece, said means comprising gages for 10- cating the paper wrapper,gages for properly locating the ice on the Wrapper, members forsuccessively folding the wrapper around the ice, means within a set ofsaid members for spraying a predetermined amount of glue on the wrapperfolds, associated means for timing the spraying and means within thenext following and final set of folding members for setting the glue toprevent the folds from coming apart when the package is discharged fromthe machine.

3. In an ice packaging machine, adjustable means for locating a wrapper,means for locating a piece of ice on said wrapper in position to permitthe operator to fold the'wrapper around the sides and top of the ice,elements above and below the ice for successively completing the firstfold of the wrapper on the ends of the ice, elements pivoted in front ofthe ice to be swung into engagement with the ends of the ice thereby tocomplete the third end fold of the wrapper, said third folding elementsbeing provided with means for spraying glue on said third fold, and anelement behind the ice and capable of being carried into engagement withthe ice for the purpose of completing the fourth fold of the wrapper,said element being provided with means for setting the glue between thethird and fourth fold in order to prevent the folds from coming apartwhen the package is removed from the machine.

4. In an ice packaging machine, the combination with means fordelivering ice in pieces of uniform size, of an adjustable folding meanscomprising track, a truck on said track, adjustable means for locatingwrapping paper, means for locating a piece of ice on a sheet of saidpaper above the said truck, means above and below the ice for completingthe first and second end folds of the wrapper on the ice, means in frontof the ice for performing the third folding operation, means forsimultaneously spraying glue on the third fold of the wrapper, a secondtruck on the said track, said truck being made with elements forcompleting the fourth and final fold of the wrapper and capable of beingadvanced under the piece of ice for the purpose of the said fold therebyto push the first named truck out from under the ice and to receive theice, and means embodied in the folding elements of said truck forsetting the glue between the said third and fourth folds at the rightplace.

5. In an ice packaging machine, means for folding a wrapper around apiece of ice, said means including a track, a platform truck on saidtrack for receivingthe piece of ice, a vertical support for foldingelements above said platform, 7

ice block, elements in front of said platforms for completing the thirdend fold of the wrapper, elements behind said platform and manuallymovable toward the platform for completing the fourth and final foldingof the wrapper, means embodied in the folding elements for gluing thefolds together, a second truck on said track for receiving the wrappedpackage from the first named truck, and means embodied in said secondtruck for setting the glue between the folds.

6. In an ice packaging machine, a track, a truck slidable on said track,adjustable gages for locating a wrapper on said platform and truck,gages for locating a piece of ice on the wrapper above said platform,means for vertically and horizontally movable to fold the wrapper on theends of the ice, a second truck on said track provided with foldingelements and movable into engagement with the ice thereby to completethe folding of the wrapper and simultaneously to slide the said platformfrom under the ice for transferring the ice to the said second truck,means for applying glue to the folds of the wrapper at the right placeduring the folding operation, and means incorporated in the folding elements of said second truck for heating the folds to set the gluetherebetween.

7. In an ice packaging machine, a horizontal track, a truck slidabie onsaid track, folding means, a second truck on the track for receiving theWrapped ice from said first truck, a support on the machine frameextending above and beyond the said second truck when retracted, and apawl on the end of said support, said pawl being positioned in the pathof movement of the wrapped piece of ice carried away by the said truckfrom the said first named truck to permit the ice to pass under the saidsupport but incapable of yielding in the opposite direction thereby todischarge the wrapped ice from the second truck when it is again drawntoward the first named truck.

8. In an ice packaging machine, means for holding a sheet of wrapper inposition to be wrapped, a track, a platform truck movable on said track,means for properly locating a piece of ice on the wrapper on saidplatform, elements for successively folding the ends of the wrapperagainst the end surfaces of the ice, means for applying glue between theend folds, means for setting the glue to prevent the folds from againcoming open, and means for adjusting the aforesaid gage and foldingelements to accommodate pieces of ice of different sizes, and means forcarrying away the wrapped package from said platform.

9. An ice packaging machine comprising a table, a support verticallyslidable on said table, elements carried by said support for folding theends of a wrapper from below and above the table against the endsurfaces of a piece of ice on said table, elements in front of the iceto complete end folds of the wrapper from the front, a glue reservoirwithin each of said last named elements, a plunger in the end of eachelement for contact with said table when the said elements are broughtinto engagement with the end surfaces of the ice and its wrapper toforce the said plunger into the said reservoir and thereby to eject aspray of glue at the right time through a slit in each element onto thefold which is being completed by the element.

10. The combination with means for locating a piece of ice relative to awrapper to be manually folded around the sides and the top of the ice,of means for foldingi the ends of the wrapper, means for yieldinglyholding the edges of the wrapper pressed against the top of the iceduring the'commencement of the end folding operations to preventdisplacement of the wrapper, means for gluing the folds of the wrappertogether, means for carrying the wrapped package away from themachine,and glue setting elements carried by said last named means.

11. In an ice packaging machine, a table fitted to hold a sheet ofwrapper in proper position, a transverse track on said table, a platformmovable on the track onto which a block of ice from the table may slide,a gate hinged at one side of the track over which the ice must travelthereby to swing the gate down against the wrapper to preventdisplacement of the latter, and elements operable to fold the wrapperaround the ice.

12. In a machine for wrapping blocks of ice, a table provided withadjustable locating means for a sheet of wrapper, a gate hinged on thetable at one edge of the wrapper to be swung downward by a block of icepassing on to said wrapper to hold the'wrapper against displacement,elements operable to fold the wrapper around the ice, and means forapplying glue to the folds of the wrap? per.

13. In an ice packaging machine, means for vertically folding a wrapperover the ends of a block of ice, elements for laterally completing onefold at each end, means carried by said elements for spraying binder onsaid folds, said means including a valve arranged to open at the end ofthe folding operation, means for laterally completing the remaining foldat each end, and elements carried by said lateral folding means forsetting binder to prevent the folds from coming apart.

14. A table having a transverse track, a truck movable on said trackslightly below the table top to permit a block of ice to slide onto saidtruck, means for applying a binder of the folds of the wrapper, a truckon the track slightly below the level of said first named truck forpushing the latter out from under the wrapped ice and onto the secondtruck, and means carried by said second truck for setting the binder onthe folds to prevent the wrapper from coming apart.

15. In a wrapping machine, a track, a receiving truck on said track onwhich to place a sheet of wrapper and the article to be wrapped, meansfor folding said wrapper around the article, and a delivery truck on thetrack positioned to slide under the wrapped package and to push thereceiving truck ahead out of the way.

16. In a wrapping machine, a track, a receiving truck on said track onwhich to place a sheet of wrapper and the article to be wrapped, meansfor folding said wrapper around the article, means associated with saidfolding means for applying binder to the folds of the wrapper, and adelivery truck positioned to slide under the wrapped package and to pushthe receiving truck out of the way.

17. In a wrapping machine, a track, a receiving truck on said track onwhich to place a sheet of wrapper and the article to be wrapped, meansfor folding said wrapper around the article, means associated with saidfolding means for applying binder to the folds of the wrapper, and adelivery truck positioned to slide under the wrapped package and to pushthe receiving truck out of the way, said delivery truck including meansfor the binder.

' 18. In a wrapping machine a track, a truck on the track for receivinga wrapper and the article to be wrapped, folding means, a delivery truckon said folding means for applying a binder to the folds of the Wrapper,and means for setting the binder. V V f '19. In a wrapping machine, thecombination witha support for an article to be wrapped; of

elements arranged in pairs movable relative to said support for foldinga wrapper around the article, and means associated with one pair ofelements for applying a binder to the wrapper, said means includingplungers positioned to contact with the support'as the elements approachthe support and thereby to force binder through said elements and tospray the binder on to the folds of the wrapper.

20. In a wrapping machine, a track, a trans verse bar fixed above saidtrack, a truck on the track for receiving an article to be wrapped,

'means for yieldingly maintaining said truck in position against saidbar, and a second truck positioned to slide under the article andthereby to push said first truck away from said bar, the latterpreventing displacement of the article as it settles on the secondtruck, the said yielding means restoring the first truck to its positionagainst the said bar when the second truck is pulled away.

21. In a wrapping machine having a delivery chute, a track, a truck onsaid track for receiving an article to be wrapped, a delivery truck onthe track movable beneath the article to push the first truck out fromunder the article, means permitting the free passage of the articlecarried away on the delivery truck but blocking the return of thearticle when said truck again is drawn toward the receiving truck,thereby causing the article to drop on to the said delivery chute.

22. In an ice wrapping machine, a platform, means for guiding ice inpieces of predetermined shape and weight on to said platform, meansadjustable to the shape of the piece of ice for successively folding awrapper around the ends of the piece from bottom, top, front and rear,and from right and left to complete the last two end folds; means forapplying binder between the said last two folds, a delivery truck forreceiving the package from said platform, and means associated with saidtruck for setting the binder to 'i prevent the folds from coming apart.

HAROLD C. SI-IEVLIN. JOSEPH P. SHEVLIN.

